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A+ Interactive Math Math Mini-Courses REVIEW!

We LOVE A+ Interactive Math, so naturally we were ecstatic to get the change to review their Math Mini-Courses! The Math Mini-Courses are just like the other math courses from A+ Interactive Math, except they are more concentrated to target learning gaps. Offered online with the option to print, A+ Interactive Math Math Mini-Courses offer homeschool families a product that offers concentrated practice in specific areas of concern to help fill learning gaps in an affordable way. For this review we were given one year access to:

Elementary & Middle School Multiplication (2nd-6th) - 13 lessons

Elementary & Middle School Division (2nd-6th) - 15 lessons

Both offer video lessons, online worksheets and tests, and the ability to print the worksheets and tests, as well.

How does it work?

Well, first you log in. As you can see in the upper right corner of this screen snip, they have made the login button easy to find! You enter in your username and password, both of which are case sensitive, and then you are taken to your dashboard. Each student has their own login, so there's no confusion.

For this review, I've taken screen snips of the parent side. The parent side has everything the student side has, with a few additional things like summaries and such. I like how I have all of our courses in the same place. I can easily go between them all with no hassle.

This is the Parent/Teacher dashboard. The student dashboard differs in the "Parent/Teacher Controls." But it has everything else. This is truly a program that is mostly hands off for the parent.

This shows the report for any online work.

As you can see on the left, the course outline is easy to navigate and understand. It's easy to play, stop, pause, or move around the videos.

The videos lack a lot of flashy distractions, but they are varied enough to not be boring and stuffy.

Here's an example of a worksheet to print. The interactive worksheets are similar, but your child clicks on the worksheet to choose their answer.

How We Used This:

Our math focus this year has been Multiplication and I wanted to end with slightly more advanced Division, so these two courses were a perfect fit for us. I had Mr. B start with the multiplication, but once he got a taste for division he loved it! Having both together is a real benefit since he can simultaneously get the practice he needs with multiplication, then turn around and test those skills with the division and prevent gaps from developing there while also providing secondary references to the multiplication.

We are both experienced with A+ Interactive Math due to our previous review of their Family Packages, and the set up for the Math Mini-Courses is the same. There's a very user friendly interface, and your child has a separate login that is different from the parent login. The parent can access everything they need easily from the parent dashboard, included everything the child has access to, grades, worksheets to print, etc. I choose to print worksheets over doing them online for the most part, but for purposes of this review I did have him complete a couple online. The reason we utilize the printable ones is due to his special needs. He sometimes forgets to submit his answers correctly, and as a result the program counts it as a wrong answer. That's why we like A+ Interactive Math so much. The ability to print the worksheets cuts down on this type of frustration for us.

The Multiplication starts with basic multiplication of single digits, and progresses to more advanced topics of multi-digit multiplication. Likewise, the division starts with easy single digit division and progresses to more advanced division with multiple digits, remainders, and of course long division. I really like the layout because the parts are broken down in such a way that I was able to target his problem areas, and he could skip the parts he has already mastered. The course outline is a really great tool for that.

Most students can complete each course in a short time frame of two to three months, but you receive access for a full year. So if you need to go back, you can. I plan to utilize both of the multiplication and division courses over the next year to brush up on skills and for practice and refreshing as needed.

Overall:

We were already fans of A+ Interactive Math, and their Math Mini-Courses have just made us even bigger fans.The are easy to use, target specific areas, and the courses are affordable. I love having everything at my finger tips without a lot of unnecessary clicking, and I like being able to access anything I need from the same parent dashboard. I would caution you to make sure you add your students as I had Mr. B working from my account for a week or two before I realized it was my account that was logged in (HAHA!) and make sure your child is properly submitting their answers on any online work they do. That is not a complaint of the product, just an overall PSA for online work in general.

1.) Customization: Is it easily adaptable? Can we customize it to fit “us?” Can we modify or set our own schedule? Can we take breaks, jump ahead, or flat out skip?

Each course includes access for a year. Your child can complete it in less time, but you still have a full year's access. You can easily set your own schedule as needed as a result. You can can start where you need, and you can go back when needed. You are in complete control of the pacing and order.

2.) Value: Is it long lasting? Will it cover multiple grade ranges? Are you locked in to one specific grade level? Are there hidden fees?

There are no hidden fees. These Math Mini-Courses cover specific areas of trouble that could be causing learning gaps for your child. So if your child needs help with multiplication, for example, then it doesn't matter the grade or age level. The videos are appropriate for any age studying the given math concepts. You are locked into the course of your choice.

3.) Attention span: Is it boring? Is it engaging? Is it varied enough for ADHD? Does it last too long?

Each lesson is relatively quick. There's no flashy distractions, so it's great for keeping ADHD kiddos on track. You can lengthen as you need by adding in additional worksheets or multiple lessons.

4.) Does it tie into other things we already have.

These are great supplemental courses for your current math. If you already use A+ Interactive Math, then these work exceptionally well since it is the same format.

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